Los Angeles, United States | AFP | A record 92 countries have entered the race hoping to snag an Oscar for best foreign language film at next year’s awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Thursday. Among the contenders that have created a buzz this year is …
Read More »New dimension to Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ and story behind it
Venice, Italy | AFP | Director John Landis says his new 3D version of “Thriller” gives Michael Jackson fans chance to see the groundbreaking video how the late king of pop would have wanted them to. “Michael and I always intended it to be seen in a cinema,” Landis told reporters …
Read More »Hollywood stars enter Confederate symbols row
Venice, Italy | AFP |Hollywood stars George Clooney and Julianne Moore on Saturday weighed in on the debate raging in the United States over statues and other symbols of the pro-slavery side in the American Civil War. The pair spoke out on the issue at the Venice film festival, where …
Read More »Annette Bening says women progressing in film biz
Venice, Italy | AFP | US actress Annette Bening said Wednesday she believes women are making progress in the movie industry, despite only one female-directed film making it into the competition selection at Venice, where she is chairing the awards jury. “There is sexism of course, no question. But I think …
Read More »Indian film industry hails chief censor’s exit
Mumbai, India | AFP | India’s film industry on Monday welcomed the departure of the country’s chief film censor, who had stoked controversy by axing James Bond’s kissing scenes and briefly blocking the release of a movie for being too “lady-oriented”. The government said late Friday it was replacing Pahlaj …
Read More »Jolie admits to ‘hardest time’ after Pitt split
New York, United States | AFP | Angelina Jolie has opened up about her split from Brad Pitt, confessing to having “the hardest time” and claiming to have spent months as a homemaker, doing dishes and cleaning up dog poop. Jolie, 42, filed for divorce last September, citing irreconcilable differences. …
Read More »George A. Romero, father of the zombie movie, dead at 77
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | US filmmaker George A. Romero, whose 1968 cult classic “Night of the Living Dead” spawned the zombie movie genre, died on Sunday aged 77, according to his manager. “Legendary filmmaker George A. Romero passed away on Sunday July 16, listening to the score …
Read More »Hooray for… Kumawood! Ghana’s fastest filmmakers
Kumasi, Ghana | AFP | India has its Bollywood and Nigeria, Nollywood. Even New Zealand has a Wellywood. In Ghana, films made in Kumasi and the surrounding region go by a similar shorthand — Kumawood. The cultural heart of Ghana is about five hours’ drive from the more cosmopolitan coastal …
Read More »James Bond star Roger Moore dead at 89
London, United Kingdom | AFP | British actor Roger Moore, who played James Bond for more than two decades with a suave wit, died Tuesday aged 89, drawing tributes for his portrayal of the womanising super-spy, and for his charity work. “It is with a heavy heart that we must …
Read More »MTV Movie Awards expands into television
New York, United States | AFP | The MTV Movie Awards, an annual celebration of youth pop culture, will expand this year to include television in a recognition of the power of the small screen. The network announced Monday that the gala will be rechristened the MTV Movie and TV …
Read More »